Rat liver sulfotransferases: effects of gonadal hormones and other factors on enzyme activities

Estradiol benzoate (EB), testosterone propionate (TP), progesterone (PG), corticosterone (CS), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) and phenobarbital (PB) were administered to Wistar rats and their effects on hepatic sulfotransferase (ST) activities toward androsterone (AD) and 4-nitrophenol (NP) were determined. ST activity toward AD was increased by pretreatment with EB and PG in male rats. ST activity toward NP was increased by administration of TP and PG in females, whereas the enzyme activity was suppressed by pretreatment with EB in males. Administration of CS, MC and PB did not significantly affect ST activities toward AD and NP. These results indicate that sex difference in rat liver ST activities appears to be primarily regulated by androgenic, estrogenic and progestational hormones.